An exciting concept hotel room designed by international design visionary, Karim Rashid was unveiled in Dubai recently.

The 'Hotel Room of the Future' which he designed for Dubai-based interior contractor DEPA Room, part of the DEPA United Group, forms part of their 'Signature Collection' which in total consists of 14 individually designed five-star hotel rooms.

Seeing his prototype for the first time, Rashid commented: 'A hotel room should be about efficiency and inspiration, we are moving into a physical age, where we want a sensual experience. We also want to feel comfortable when we enter a space, this is a friendly and comfortable room. The objects and spaces that surround us should be easy, functional and straightforward, but also exciting and poetic with a touch of eccentricity.'

Karim's room has no corners: one single soft-edged centrally-placed piece of furniture combines the functions of bed, desk, seating and table. The rounded shape of the room - easy to clean - allows for corner units housing the bathroom and the closet. The glass in the window can be set to clear or opaque, while serving as a TV screen at night.

Depa room general manager Fulvia Fontanot, commented: 'Karim talks about what he calls the 'new casualism', the desire to feel free, open and relaxed, without boundaries or sharp edges. Human behaviour, personal experience and local cultures influence his designs and there is clear but subtle evidence of that in this contemporary design, which will no doubt set the trend for regional hotel interior design.'

Rashid along with other world-class designers who specialise in five-star hotel design, were commissioned by Depa, to contribute towards a collection of unique interior designs. Displaying Rashid's creation at The Hotel Show was a precursor to Depa's plans for a series of permanent showrooms throughout the region. The showrooms will display a total of 25 rooms, 11 of which are already implemented projects, with the remaining 14 belonging to the 'Depa Signature Collection'. The Karim Rashid model room was built by Deco Emirates, a subsidiary of Depa.

'Rather than take investors to numerous hotels, 'local' showrooms, strategically located can provide a comprehensive overview under one roof. Our showroom in Cairo will open soon, Dubai will be operational by the end of 2007 and five more are planned to open during 2008. Should investors or developers be inspired by one of the designs, they are free to contact the designer concerned to discuss the specific parameters of their project,' added Fontanot.

Other designers and architects whose concept rooms will be featured in the new Depa showrooms include Kwan Chu architects of KCA, Marco Piva who is one of the speakers at the Hotel Show Conference, Dubai-based LW Design, Selvaggio by Rampazzi, BBG/BBGM New York, designers Chhada Siembieda from Australia, Vincenzo de Cotiis Fashion design from Italy and Ministry of Design from Singapore.-TradeArabia News Service